Sarn Helen Running Club was superbly represented at Ras Gwyl Dewi in Llanddewi Brefi on Sunday March 10th with some top placing juniors throughout the categories and some determined, strong performances from the adults in both the 10k and 5k races.
Results for the juniors as follows
2km U9- Eva Davies 1st girl in 10:04. 3km U11- Tudur Llwyd 2nd 14:02, Lloyd Thomas 14:45, Chris Readwin 15:48, Elin Onwy 2nd 16:04, Alis Evans 3rd 17:53. 4km U13 Rhys Williams 16:01, Iestyn Stephens 2nd 22:51, Nia Williams 23:28. 5k U15- Sea Wood 1st 27:16.
In the 5k adults race Mark Needham placed 2nd in 25:48, Haydn Lloyd 3rd in 27:56 and Anwen Davies 1st female in 28:35.
The Sarn Helen results for the 10k:
Sion Price 1st in a whopping time of 34:10, Mike Davies 1st M50 in 40:00, Dafydd Lloyd 40:35, Nigel Davies 1st M40 40:49, Steffan Thomas 42:05, Eilir Evans 43:07, MIch Taylor 46:04, Mitchell Readwin 48:51, Roger Mence 58:26. Dee Jolly first lady in 42:05, Caryl Wyn Davies 43:58, Sian Roberts-Jones 1st F35 in 49:16, Nicola Williams 49:43, Carol Rees 52:52, Enfys Needham-Jones 53:53, Amy Edgell 54:35, Nicola Davies 57:37, Elisha Jones 58:38, Rebecca Doswell and Sandra Dabner 1:00:27, Jane Holmes 1:05:02.
Sunday 17th March saw 5 Sarn Helen runners take on the San Domenico 20-mile race. The undulating course was twice out and back along the Taff trail, the weather conditions were pretty good, apart from the hail shower 2 hours into the race! Ken Caulkett was first back and 13th overall with a time of 2 hours 14 minutes and 20 seconds. Next was Alexander Price in 2 hours 40 minutes and 1 second. First of the ladies to finish was Pamela Carter in 3 hours 19 minutes and 5 seconds, followed by Jenny Caulkett in 3 hours 27 minutes and 2 seconds. Last of our Sarn runners was Nicola Davies who came in 3 hours and 48 minutes.
After very little training but with steel determination Sarn Helens Martin Darby took on Cheshire 10k on March 23rd. The course starts and finishes at the famous Arley Hall and covers closed, fast roads. Darby was pleased to finish the 6.2-mile race in a time of 54:31.
Mountain lover Dee Jolly dragged training pal Mitchell Readwin along to a fun a feisty fell run in the Brecon Beacons on March 17th where conditions underfoot were good and the icy wind was blowing in a surprisingly helpful direction. Tor Y Foel fell race was held from and finished on Talybont Reservoir; the course took in stream beds, open fells and some tricky single-track forestry trails. It was a short race at 4.5 miles, straight up and straight down the mountain. Dee Jolly worked hard to finish 2nd lady, 14th overall in 39:48, just 13 seconds behind the winning lady. Mitchell enjoyed the descent and flew through the finish in a time of 48:02.
Six Sarn Helen runners took up the challenge of the Nant yr Arian Silver Trail Half Marathon on Saturday 23rd March. Absolutely perfect conditions greeted them for the 2nd edition of this new event, with a good crowd in attendance and great organisation from the race team. The best of the bunch was undoubtedly George Eadon who has seen a massive improvement over the last year and has excelled in recent races. From a leisurely start, George finished in blistering time of 1:43:46 and was placed 1st Senior Male - a great achievement and justified after the commitment and time he has put into his training. Jess Bruce was the next Sarn runner and is known to love these tough conditions. She was looking to defend her title from last year and despite finishing in a time of 1:46.02 and 10 mins quicker than last year, she was edged into the 2nd placed female but finished 1st in her age group. Eilir Evans ran strongly and as consistent as ever and smiled his way around in a time just over the 2 hour mark of 2:00:25. As a relatively new member to Sarn Helen he is showing great potential. Not far behind was Steven Holmes in 2:05:33, and despite a lack of training through injury retains his enthusiasm to compete in local events. Putting in the miles for her London Marathon training was Pamela Carter. This was just the first of 2 events during the weekend for her and saw her finish in a great time of 2:34:05 over this tough and technical course - hopefully she will find the London course less demanding! Jane Holmes powered home in a time of 2:58:32 to complete her 3rd Half marathon of the year. With lots more in her race calendar this year she has certainly got the running bug and continues to inspire others.
Not to be outshone we had two junior females representing the club in the Silver Trail Children’s race. Maddeline Eadon and Alis Evans stormed round the 1.6 mile course with its tricky ascents and its windy descents, crossing the finish line together to encouraging cheers from the crowd.